Skin test applicator

ABSTRACT

A skin test applicator has a applicator handle (21) and separately storable test elements (13). A complimentary snap-fit attachment structure (33, 43) is provided on the applicator handle and test elements to permit the applicator handle to operatively pick up and hold one or more test elements from a suitable sterile storage tray. The skin test applicator reduces storage requirements and the amount of refuse that must be discarded immediately following the administration of a skin test for the diagnosis of an allergic response or other diagnostic test.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/251,729, file Jul. 8, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,518, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08/086,929, filed Jul. 2, 1993, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for performing skin tests for an allergic response or for other diagnostic responses; it more particularly relates to an improved skin test applicator system which can be efficiently stored and which has reusable parts.

Skin tests are a widely used diagnostic tool for clinical allergy evaluations and, indeed, is a standard clinical method for demonstrating whether or not the patient has allergen-specific antibodies associated with allergic disease. The skin test generally involves applying a drop of a desired allergenic extract to the skin by either prick or puncture technique using a skin testing device.

One well-known approach to skin testing is to simultaneously apply different antigens to multiple sites on the skin. Such multiple skin tests are widely performed by a skin test applicator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,080 to Gary L. Hein, which discloses a plastic applicator consisting of a plurality of multiple pressure puncture heads integrally connected by relatively flexible arms to a relatively rigid handle. The entire applicator of the Hein patent is intended to be disposable due to the sterile requirements for skin testing.

The unitary skin test applicator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,080 has a number of disadvantages. First, a single use of the applicator exhausts the entire applicator, including the handle, which must be thrown away, whereas the only non-sterile parts of concern on the applicator are the pressure heads and skin puncturing scarifying points on the applicator. Secondly, the applicator is relatively bulky requiring shipment and storage in a sealed, bacteriostatic, individualized container which itself is relatively bulky. Therefore, where adequate storage space is not available, stocking large quantities of these applicators as is normally required by an allergist, can be an on-going problem.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the unitary applicator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,556,080 by providing a multiple test applicator wherein the test elements carrying the spaced-apart skin puncturing pressure heads are separately storable elements and are the only portion of the applicator that are intended to be disposable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the invention provides for a skin test applicator having an applicator handle and separately storable applicator test elements, each of which has at least one, and preferably three to four, skin puncturing test pressure heads for holding a desired allergenic agent. Complimentary coupling means are provided on the test elements and applicator handle to permit the handle to operatively pick up and hold the test elements when they are used. It is contemplated that the separately storable applicator test elements will be packaged in easily storable, sterile trays with their coupling means facing up to receive the complimentary coupling means of the applicator handle. The test elements can thus be picked up by the applicator handle without touching the technician's skin.

Preferably, the handle of the skin test applicator will be capable of picking up at least two applicator test elements. Thus, for example, if the applicator handle picks up two test elements, each having four pressure heads, each administration of the skin test with the test applicator of the invention can accomplish eight different skin tests at eight different sites on the skin.

The complimentary coupling means on the applicator handle and the storable test elements are preferably comprised of complimentary snap-fit attachment means, wherein the applicator handle operatively engages and holds the test elements when the snap-fit attachment means on the applicator handle is pressed into snap-fit engagement with the complimentary snap-fit attachment means on the test elements held in an open storage tray.

In two illustrated embodiments of the invention the application handle is provided with a separate upwardly projecting supporting portion whereas in a third more compact and easy to assemble embodiment the gripping portion is provided by a non-projecting top portion of the handle.

Therefore, it can be seen that it is a primary object of the invention to provide a skin test applicator that reduces storage requirements by permitting the sterile test elements of the applicator to be stored apart from the relatively bulky handle of the applicator. It is a further object of the invention to provide a skin test applicator that is easy to use and that has less total plastic to discard when the skin test is complete, thereby reducing costs and producing less refuse materials for disposal. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a skin test applicator in accordance with the invention showing two test elements in a snap-fit orientation with the applicator handle and a storage tray for the separately storable test strips.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the skin test applicator of the invention showing the test strips in snap-fit engagement with the applicator handle.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, cross-sectional view of the skin test applicator of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the skin test applicator of FIG. 2 showing the test strips being removed from the applicator handle.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a test strip for a skin test applicator in accordance with the invention showing a staggered arrangement of pressure heads on the test strip.

FIG. 6 is an alternative embodiment of a test strip for a skin test applicator in accordance with the invention showing the pressure heads aligned on the test strip.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the applicator handle shown in FIGS. 1-4.

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having a hand-operable test strip release mechanism on the applicator handle.

FIG. 9 is an exploded top perspective view thereof showing the test strips separated from the applicator handle.

FIG. 10 is an exploded top perspective view thereof showing the assembly of the different parts of the applicator handle.

FIG. 11 is an end elevational view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional end elevational view thereof taken along lines 12--12 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 13 is a right-side elevational view thereof showing the test strips in a position to be picked up by the applicator handle.

FIG. 14 is a right-side elevational view thereof showing the test strips engaged to the applicator handle.

FIG. 15 is a right-side elevational view thereof showing the test strips being released from the applicator handle.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another more compact embodiment of the skin test applicator of the present invention having an alternative hand-operable test strip release mechanism incorporated into the applicator handle.

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the skin test applicator of the embodiment shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a side cross-section view of the skin test applicator taken along line 18--18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 18A is an exploded side cross-section view of the skin test applicator shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a cross-section view of the skin test applicator taken along line 19--19 of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of a test strip for a skin test applicator in accordance with the invention showing the pressure heads aligned on the test strip.

FIG. 21 is a side plan view of the test strip shown in FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the slide member of the skin test applicator shown in FIG. 16.

FIG. 23 is a side cross-section view of the slide member taken along line 23--23 of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a skin test applicator 11 in accordance with the invention wherein test elements, which are in the form of elongated test strips 13 having a plurality of pressure heads 15 for contacting and puncturing the skin, are separately storable in a storage tray 17. As shown in FIG. 1, the test strips 13 are deposited in channels 19 formed in the bottom of the storage tray and are adapted to be picked up from the tray by an applicator handle 21. The tray, which is relatively shallow and stackable for easy and compact storage, can be fabricated of thermoformed plastic. Its perimeter is provided with a shoulder surface 23 of sufficient width to receive a sterile peel-off cover such as a Tyvek® cover 22 manufactured by The DuPont Corporation. While, in FIG. 1, the tray is shown as holding four test strips, it is understood that the tray can be designed to hold any number of test strips as required. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the tray can be designed to have two or more compartments 26, 28, with each compartment containing multiple test strips and covered by a separately removable Tyvek cover or the like. By providing a relatively small tray, or trays with relatively small compartments, only a few sterile test strips need be exposed at a time when a skin test is performed. This will reduce waste in the event all of the test strips are not used.

Each of the skin test strips 13 and the applicator handle 21 have complimentary coupling means to permit the handle to operatively pick up and hold skin test strips when a skin test is performed. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling means on the applicator handle provide the handle with the ability to pick up and hold the two test strips at the same tine. It shall be appreciated that the coupling means on the applicator handle could as well provide for picking up just one test strip or more than two test strips, however, the facility for picking up two test strips is best suited for skin testing and is the contemplated best mode of the invention.

The applicator handle 21 is more specifically seen to include laterally extending side portions 24, 25 and a vertically extending gripping portion 27 having a notch 30 which is useful for registering the applicator handle in a holding tray (not shown) as described below. The laterally extending side portions which have top surfaces 29 also create a bottom surface 31 on which the test strips are retained. The applicator handle more specifically includes a row of relatively short, open-ended receiving channels 33 arranged along each lateral side edge 35, 37 of the handle's bottom surface 31. These channels provide the handle's coupling means and hold two test strips in parallel spaced relation on the handle. Except for the notch 30 and cut-away portions 36 which create the short channel sections 33, the handle, including the lateral side portions, gripping portion, and receiving channels have an uniform cross-section such that the entire applicator handle can be fabricated from extrudable or injection molded plastic. It shall be appreciated that the receiving channels could be continuous channels, instead of relatively short machined channel sections; however, the relatively short channels illustrated in the drawings have the advantage that they permit the test strips to be more easily removed from the application handle as still further described below.

Each of the illustrated test strips 13 is comprised of an elongated, relatively narrow base member 39 having a top 40 and bottom 42, and terminated at each end by upward extending push/pull tabs 41. The complimentary coupling means on the test strip is in the form of depressible channel locking means consisting of pairs of substantially parallel, inwardly depressible locking tabs 43 that project from the top of the base member 39 at its lateral edges 45, 47 in a spaced apart relation that corresponds with the width of the receiving channels 33 on the bottom surface 31 of the applicator handle.

Each pair of locking tabs on the test strips have projecting locking ends 49 that snap-fit into the receiving channels when the ends of the locking tabs are forced against the channel. Specifically, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the ends of the locking tabs have an outwardly projecting rib structure 51, which includes a forward angled surface 53 that fits into a corresponding lateral recessed area 55 in the side walls of the locking channel. As the forward angled surfaces 53 press against the forward angled surfaces 57, the locking tabs will be depressed inwardly to snap into the locking channels. It will be appreciated that the locking tab arrangement shown in FIGS. 1-7 can be modified so that, for example, the depressible locking tabs are made to project from the applicator handle with the locking channels being formed on the test strip. Also, the locking tabs could be made to snap-fit over the outside of the channel walls by providing for an inwardly facing locking rib structure and an outwardly facing corresponding recess formed in the outside of the channel side walls.

The pressure heads 15 on the test strips 13 each carries a plurality of scarifying points 61 that hold an allergenic extract. The scarifying points puncture the skin with the allergenic extract when the heads are pressed against the skin, causing test reactions at multiple adjacent sites on the skin.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show two different arrangements of pressure heads on the test strips. In FIG. 6 three pressure heads 15a are provided that are aligned in the center of the base member 39a of test strip 13a, whereas in FIG. 5 four pressure heads 15b are provided which are alternatingly attached to opposite lateral edges of base member 39b. The advantageous increase in the number of pressure heads in the FIG. 5 embodiment would normally result in a disadvantageous decrease in the distance between pressure heads, given a set length for the test strips. However, this disadvantage is mitigated by the increase in distance between pressure heads that occurs because of the staggered arrangement of the heads. As above-mentioned, the spacing of the pressure heads on the test strip is important because pressure heads that are too closely spaced together may produce false-positive reactions by allowing one skin test reaction to affect an adjacent testing site.

The use of the skin test applicator of the invention is best illustrated with reference to FIG. 1. To use the applicator, a tray 17 of sterile test strips 13 is removed from storage and the tray opened to expose the test strips which are arranged in the tray with their snap-fit attachment means facing up. By holding an applicator handle 21 by its gripping portion 27, the person preparing for a skin test simply presses the receiving channels 33 located on the underside of the applicator handle (bottom surface 31) against the depressible locking tabs 43 of two alternate test elements 13 in the tray until the locking tabs snap into place in the receiving channels. For this purpose, the tray should be placed on a level, horizontal surface. The applicator handle and attached test elements are then removed to a separate holding tray (not shown) where, in a manner well-known in the art, they are held in an inverted position for the purpose of preparing the applicator, that is, for the purpose of applying different allergenic agents to the scarifying points 61 of the different pressure heads. The notch 30 on the gripping portion of the handle can be utilized with a corresponding hump molded into the holding tray to register the handle at a desired orientation within the tray.

Since each pressure head will be prepared with a different allergenic agent, it is necessary to keep track of which agent is applied to which pressure head. For this purpose, the top surfaces 29 of lateral side portions 24, 25 of the applicator handle provide a ready structure for imprinting indicia 32 on the underside of the handle for identifying each pressure head when the applicator is prepared for use. Because of the broad surfaces provided, the indicia can be large enough to be easily read for quick identification.

Once the first two sterile test strips have been picked up in the tray as shown in FIG. 1, the remaining two skin test strips can be picked up by a separate applicator handle. It is contemplated that a number of handles would be provided such that a number of test applicators can be prepared at the same time.

Allergy testing of a patient may call for up to sixty or more skin tests. If, for example, skin testing is performed on a patient requiring sixty different allergenic agents, fifteen test strips having four pressure heads as shown in FIG. 5, or twenty test strips having three pressure heads as shown in FIG. 6, would be required. If an odd number of test strips is required, only one test element need be picked up by an applicator handle for the final test series, thereby conserving test strips. This is accomplished by pressing one side of the handle onto a test strip in tray 17 in order to releaseably lock on that specific test strip.

Once the skin tests are performed, the test strips illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 can be easily removed from the applicator handle by simply pushing or pulling on the push/pull tabs 41 of the test strips to slide the test strips from the handle's open-ended receiving channels 33. For example, after administering a test, the test administrator need only knock the applicator against a table such that the tabs of the test strips hit the table's edge. This simple motion dislodges the test strips from the handle, preferably into a receptacle for disposal suitably placed below the table top. This is done without the need to manually touch the strips. Thus, it can be seen that the skin test applicator of the invention can be used in a way that the separately storable test elements are not manually touched at any time from retrieval to discard. It can also be seen that because only the test elements of the applicator are discarded, instead of the entire applicator, and because the sterile tray holding the test elements is smaller than would be required if an entire applicator handle and test elements were stored in a sterile tray, there is less overall plastic material that needs to be discarded.

FIGS. 8-15 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention having an easily operable finger-actuated means for releasing the test strips from the applicator handle after the test strips have been used for a skin test. In this embodiment, the test strips can be released without the need to push or pull on the test strips directly, or to otherwise touch the test strips. The construction of the applicator handle illustrated in FIGS. 8-15 is a multi-part stacked construction involving easy to assemble, and suitably injection molded, plastic parts.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 8-12, the handle 63 of skin test applicator 60 is comprised of grip portion 65, as well as a base plate 67 and bottom cover plate 69 which provide the handle with laterally extending side portions 62, 64 to which test strips 100 can be attached in a suitable spaced relation; the handle also comprises means for releasing the test strips from the applicator handle in the form of a latch mechanism (which includes latch pins 73, bias springs 75, and stationary pins 77) and a finger depressible slide member 71 linked to the latch mechanism. Referring to the exploded view of FIG. 10, it can be seen that the extended flat bottom portion 79 of grip portion 65 fits within recess 81 formed in the top of base plate 67, and that the bottom cover plate 69 fits over the underside of the base plate in order to hold the handle's latch mechanism--that is, pins 73, 77 and springs 75--in the latch grooves 83 formed along the base plate's bottom lateral edges 85. During assembly, the grip portion 65, base plate 67, and bottom cover plate 69 can suitably be jointed together using ultrasonic welding techniques.

More specifically, each of the movable latch pins 73 of the latch mechanism is seen to consist of a bent metal pin having a diameter that permits the straight portions 87 of the pins to slide within the latch grooves 83. The bend in the latch pins form riser portions 89 that operatively project through elongated latch pin openings 91 that extend through the edges of the base plate in registration with the latch grooves. The stationary pins 77, on the other hand, are straight pins that are non-movably secured within the latch grooves at the end of the applicator handle opposite the movable latch pins. The stationary pins can be glued in place, or alternatively, or in addition to gluing, they can be provided with an interior flatten or flared end (not shown) which is captured within a corresponding slot or flared portion molding into the latch grooves. Springs 75, which fit in the latch grooves between the stationary and movable pins, bias the movable pins in a forward extended position so that the ends 93 of the movable pins extend beyond the front edge 95 of the applicator handle to engage the test strips as hereinafter described.

As best seen in FIGS. 10-12, bottom cover plate 69 is shaped to mate with the bottom of the base plate 67. Channels 97 formed along the top lateral edges of the cover plate form a cap for covering the base plate's bottom lateral edges 85 and the parts of the latch mechanism. Bracing ridges 99 formed on the underside of the cover plate's lateral edges are provided to fit within and engage the test strips' channel walls 101 when the test strips are picked up by the applicator handle. These ridges will act to keep the test strips from rocking on the applicator handle when the test strips are pressed against a patient's skin.

Referring to FIG. 10, the applicator handle is assembled by securing the grip portion 65 within the recess 81 of the base plate while fitting slide 71 onto the front of the base plate such that the guide slot 103 formed in the slide fits over the grip's vertical wall 105 between the grip's flat bottom portion 79 and guide ridges 80. With the slide's linkage arms 107 positioned over the latch pin openings 91 of the base plate (and before positioning the bottom cover plate over the bottom of the base plate), the pins and springs of the latch mechanism are positioned in the latch grooves. In position, the riser portions 89 of the movable latch pins will project through latch pin openings 91 so as to engage the openings 109 in the slide member's linkage arms.

As noted above, the stationary pins can be secured in place by means of a flat or flared end. A flat end can easily be provided on the stationary pins by striking the end of the pins with a hammer or weighted object before installing the pin. It is also noted that a flat bottom portion 79 of grip 65 is provided with dovetailed edges, the bottom portion of which mates with chamfered edges 84 of the base plate's recess 81. Dovetailing the edges in this manner will increase the strength of the joint between the grip and the base plate.

When assembled, slide 71 will slidably be captured between the top of the base plate 67 and the guide ridges 80 of grip portion 65; also the maximum forward biased position of the slide will be reached when the latch pin riser portions 89, which link the slide to the latch mechanism, strike the forward edge of latch pin openings 91. To minimize the sliding friction between the slide and the base plate, interior top surface portions 111 are recessed relative to other surrounding surfaces of the base plate. Thus, it can be seen that the slide only contacts the base plate along interior ridges 113 and the centered raised portion 115. The base plate's perimeter shoulders 117 act as vertical guide walls for the linkage arms of the slide. By supporting and containing the slide member in this manner, any tendency of the slide to bend or cock about a vertical or horizontal axis will be adverted.

The skin test applicator of FIGS. 8-15 is used to pick up pairs of elongated sterile test strips 100 from a sterile storage tray (not shown) in much the same manner as described in connection with the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. In this case, the complimentary coupling means on the applicator handle and test strips is a snap-fit attachment means comprised of the latch mechanism associated with the handle and snap-fit latch pin receiving means on the test strips which are in the form of upward extending expandable pairs of locking arms 119 at the opposed ends of the test strips. More specifically, the pairs of test strip locking arms are designed to snap into engagement with the ends 93, 94 of the movable and stationary pins that project beyond the front and rear edges 95, 96 of the applicator handle.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 13-15, it can be seen that a pair of test strips 100 having staggered pressure heads 102, are picked up by applicator handle 63 by first aligning the projecting ends 93, 94 of the handle's movable and stationary pins over test strip locking arm pairs 119, and then pressing the handle down against the test strips (as indicated by arrows A in of FIG. 13) until the projecting ends of the pins snap into place as shown in FIG. 14. (As in the earlier described embodiment, each of the pressure heads 102 should be numbered to make it easier to keep track of the allergenic agents applied thereto. Numbers or other identifying indicia (not shown) can readily be imprinted on the underside of the bottom cover plate 69.) After using the applicator, the test strips 100 are released manually by simply pushing on the extended end 121 of slide member 71 at the front edge 95 of the applicator handle while holding the grip 65 of the handle. This release action can suitably be accomplished by extending the index finger to press the slide. To facilitate the extension of the index finger over the front of the applicator grip, the grip is preferably provided with an angled front edge 123. The simple motion of pushing inwardly on the slide will cause the movable latch pin to retract, as indicated by arrow B in FIG. 15, resulting in the test strips 100 separating from the handle, in this case indicated by arrow C in FIG. 15. The applicator handle can be tilted front end up when the test strips are released to prevent the back end of the test strips from momentarily hanging up on the stationary pin.

As in the case of the earlier described embodiment of the invention, the test strips are preferably released from the applicator handle directly into a receptacle for suitable disposal. Also as previously mentioned, only the test strips will be discarded rather than the entire applicator, such that the applicator can be reused. Furthermore, the entire skin test procedure, including picking up and discard of the test strips, can be accomplished without any contact between the operator hand and the sterile test strips.

Referring now to FIG. 16 there is shown yet another more compact embodiment of the skin test applicator 200 in accordance with the invention wherein test strips 230 having a plurality of pressure heads 240 for contacting and puncturing the skin, are adapted to be picked up from a tray by an applicator handle 205. Each of the skin test strips 230 and the applicator handle 205 have complimentary coupling means 220 to permit the applicator handle 205 to operatively pick up and hold skin test strips 230 when a skin test is performed. In the embodiment of FIG. 16, like the earlier described embodiments, the coupling means of the applicator handle 205 provides the handle with the ability to pick up and hold the two test strips at the same time. It shall be appreciated that the coupling means 220 on the applicator handle could as well provide for picking up just one test strip or more than two test strips.

In this embodiment the construction of the applicator handle 205 is a multipart stacked construction involving easy to assemble parts. As best illustrated in FIGS. 16-19, the applicator handle 205 of skin test applicator 200 includes a top portion forming a grip 210, a bottom plate 217 and a coupling means 260.

The grip 210 is generally shaped to be easily accommodated by the user's hand, e.g., approximately 2 to about 31/2 inches wide. The grip 210 is held on each side 211, 212 between the user's fingers and thumb. As noted in FIG. 17, the front portion 213 of the grip is somewhat indented so the front edge 262 of the slide member 221 of the coupling means 260 extends slightly outwardly from the front edge 213 of grip 210. The underside of grip 210 has a recessed portion 214 to accommodate coupling means 220. The underside of grip 210 also has a pair of fastener receiving holes 215, 216 to receive fasteners 242, 243.

Bottom plate 217 has an upper portion 218 which is somewhat smaller than the bottom portion 219 and serves to separate the grip 210 from the bottom portion 219. The bottom plate has a pair of openings 220, 221 in the midportion thereof for receiving the latch means 263, 264 and serves as a seating for the test strips. The underside of the bottom portion has outwardly extending portion which seats into the test strip base member 232. Also the base plate has a pair of holes to accommodate fasteners 242, 243.

As shown, the applicator handle 205 coupling means 260 for releasing the test strips 230 from the applicator handle comprises a latch mechanism which includes a finger depressible slide member 261 linked to the latch mechanism and a bias spring 270. As best shown in FIGS. 22-23, the slide member 261 is sized to fit in the recess 214 on the bottom of grip 210. The slide member has a front edge 262, a pair of downwardly extending latch means 263, 264, a slide hole 265 which includes a portion adapted to accommodate a fastener therethrough and a second elongated fastener opening 266. Each of the latching means 263, 264 has a latch tab 267, 268 on its outer end for engagement with the forward edge 238 of test strip opening 235. Spring 270 is positioned in slot 265 of slide member 261 and is biased against the front end of the slot and fastener 243 at the other end.

As noted in FIG. 17, the slide member 261 extends slightly outwardly from the front of applicator handle 205 so that when it is depressed against spring 270 the latch tabs 267, 268 release each of the test strips 230. It can be seen that the slide member 261 fits within a recess 214 formed in the underside of grip 210, and that the bottom plate 217 fits over the underside of grip 210 in order to hold the handle's coupling means 260 in place. During assembly, the grip 210 and bottom plate 217 are secured with fasteners 242, 243.

The applicator handle 205 is assembled by securing fasteners 242, 243 through bottom plate 217 and into the holes 215, 216 of grip 210 while fitting slide member 261 into the recess 214 on the underside of grip 210 with the latch means 263, 264 positioned over the openings 220, 221 in the bottom plate 217. The spring of the latch mechanism is positioned in the latch slot 265. In position, the latch means 263, 264 will project through openings 220, 221 so as to engage the openings 235 in each test strip. When assembled, slide member 261 will slidably be captured between the grip 210 and bottom plate 217 and be biased in a forward position with the rear of slot 265 against fastener 243.

As shown in FIGS. 20-21 each of the test strips 230 is comprised of an elongated, relatively narrow base member 232 having a raised edge portion 234 around its outer perimeter. The pressure heads 240 on the test strips 230 each carries a plurality of scarifying points 241 that hold an allergenic extract. The scarfing points 241 puncture the skin with the allergenic extract when the heads are pressed against the skin, which may result in test reactions at multiple adjacent sites on the skin. The complimentary coupling means on the test strip is shown by opening 235 preferably at the midpoint of base member 232. The forward edge 236 of opening 235 serves as a locking tab with the latching means 263, 264. The width of latch means 263, 264 is preferably slightly narrower than the width of opening 235. Preferably, the forward or locking edge 236 of the opening 235 may include a raised stepped area 238 which permits the latch tabs 267, 268 to more easily fit to retain the test strip 230 against the bottom of the applicator handle. The rear edge of the opening 235 may also include a stepped portion 237.

In operation the user grips the sides 211, 212 of grip 210 and with a finger against slide member front edge 262, pushing it against spring 270 in a rearward motion. The applicator handle 205 is then used to pick up pairs of elongated sterile test strips 230 from a sterile storage tray such as the one shown in FIG. 1 and by releasing the finger slide member 261, it is forced by the spring action to move forward holding the front edge 238 of opening 235 against the latch tabs 267, 268.

Therefore, the present invention provides for a skin test applicator that is easy to use, that reduces storage requirements, and that generates less waste for disposal. While the invention has been described in considerable detail in the foregoing specification, it shall be understood that it is not intended that the invention be limited to such detail, except as necessitated by the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A skin test applicator comprisingan applicator handle having a top for dripping and a bottom, a plurality of applicator test elements storable separately from said applicator handle, each of said test elements having a top and a bottom, and at least one skin-puncturing test head on the bottom of the test element for holding a desired testing agent for a diagnostic skin test when said test elements are pressed against a skin surface, and complimentary coupling means on the top of said test elements and the bottom of said applicator handle to permit said handle to operatively pick up and releasably hold any one of said test elements when it is desired to use said test elements.
 2. The skin test applicator of claim 1 wherein said complimentary coupling means are comprised of complimentary snap-fit attachment means wherein said applicator handle operatively engages and holds said test element when the snap-fit attachment means on said applicator handle is pressed into snap-fit engagement with the complimentary snap-fit attachment means on said test element.
 3. A skin test applicator comprisingan applicator handle, a plurality of applicator test elements storable separately from said applicator handle, each of said test elements having at least one skin-puncturing test head for holding a desired testing agent for a diagnostic skin test when said test elements are pressed against a skin surface, and complimentary coupling means on said test elements and said applicator handle to permit said handle formed to operatively pick up and releasably hold at least two of said test elements at the same time.
 4. A skin test applicator comprisingan applicator handle, a plurality of applicator test elements storable separately from said applicator handle, each of said test elements having at least one skin-puncturing test head for holding a desired testing agent for a diagnostic skin test when said test elements are pressed against a skin surface, and complimentary coupling means on said test elements and said applicator handle to permit said handle to operatively pick up and releasably hold any one of said test elements when it is desired to use said test elements, said complimentary coupling means comprising complimentary snap-fit channel means wherein said applicator handle operatively engages and holds said test element when the snap-fit channel means on said applicator handle is pressed into snap-fit engagement with the complimentary snap-fit channel means on said test element and wherein said test element can be slidably removed from said applicator handle.
 5. The skin test applicator of claim 4 wherein said snap-fit channel means includesat least one receiving channel on said applicator handle, and depressible channel locking means extending from said test element, said locking means being formed to depress and then lockingly engage with said receiving channel when forced against said channel.
 6. The skin test applicator of claim 5 wherein said depressible channel locking means includes a pair of substantially parallel, inwardly depressible locking tabs projecting from said test element in a spaced relation that corresponds with the width of said receiving channel, said locking tabs having projecting locking ends that snap-fit into said receiving channel when forced against said channel.
 7. The skin applicator of claim 4 wherein said snap-fit channel means includesa plurality of relatively short receiving channels on said applicator handle, and depressible channel locking means extending from said test element for each of said receiving channels, said locking means being formed to depress and then lockingly engage with said receiving channels when forced against said channels.
 8. The skin applicator of claim 4 wherein said test element includes a push/pull tab for removing said test element from said applicator handle.
 9. A skin test applicator comprisingan applicator handle a plurality of test elements storable separately from said applicator handle, each of said test elements having a plurality of skin-puncturing test heads, said test heads being disposed in spaced relation on each of said test elements for receiving and holding desired testing agents for producing simultaneously applied and spaced apart diagnostic skin tests when said test element is pressed against a skin surface, complimentary coupling means on each of said test elements and on said applicator handle to permit said handle to operatively pick up and hold any one of said test elements when said test elements are used.
 10. The applicator of claim 9 wherein each of said test elements is an elongated test strip having test heads disposed in spaced relation along the length of said test strip.
 11. The applicator of claim 10 wherein said coupling means includesat least one snap-fit channel formed on one of said applicator handle and test strips, and a complimentary snap-fit structure projecting from the other of said handle portion and test strips, said snap-fit structure being formed such that it snaps into the snap-fit channel when pressed onto said channel.
 12. The applicator of claim 11 wherein said snap-fit channel is open ended such that said snap-fit structure can be removed from said channel for decoupling test strips from said handle by sliding the snap-fit structure in said channel and out through the open end thereof.
 13. The applicator of claim 11 wherein said snap-fit channel is disposed on said handle portion and said snap-fit structure projects from said test strips.
 14. The applicator of claim 12 wherein each of said test strips includes a push/pull tab on at least one end thereof for removing said test element from said applicator handle.
 15. An skin test applicator comprisinga plurality of separately storable test strips, each of said test strips having a plurality of skin-puncturing test heads disposed in spaced relation along said test strip for receiving and holding desired testing agents for producing simultaneously applied and spaced apart diagnostic skin tests when said test strip is pressed against a skin surface, an applicator handle having a gripping portion and laterally extending side portions which produce a bottom surface on said handle, the bottom surface of said handle having opposite lateral edges, a receiving channel having a defined width formed on the bottom surface of said applicator handle along each of the opposite lateral edges thereof, inwardly depressible pairs of locking tabs projecting from said test strips in a spaced relation that corresponds with the width of said receiving channels, said locking tabs having projecting locking ends that snap fit into one of said receiving channel when forced against said channel.
 16. The skin test applicator of claim 15 wherein said test elements have a push/pull tab extending perpendicularly from each end thereof.
 17. A skin test applicator handle for skin test elements storable separately therefrom comprisinga grip portion, laterally extending side portions, and test element coupling means for releasably coupling to complimentary coupling means on the storable skin test elements to permit said handle to operatively pick up and releasably hold the test elements in spaced relation along the lateral side portions thereof.
 18. The skin test applicator handle of claim 17 wherein said test element release means provides means for snap-fit attachment of test elements to said applicator handle.
 19. A test element for a skin test applicator comprisingan elongated base member having opposite lateral edges, at least two skin-puncturing test heads disposed in spaced relation along said base member, and coupling means on said base member to permit the test element to be operatively picked up and releasably held by a separate applicator handle having complimentary coupling means.
 20. The test element of claim 19 wherein said test heads are alternatingly disposed on opposite lateral edges of the base member of said test strip to provide a staggered pattern of test heads.
 21. The test element of claim 19 wherein said coupling means includes a snap-fit structure projecting from said base member which is complimentary to a snap-fit structure on the separate applicator handle.
 22. A method for performing skin tests for an allergic response comprisingstoring a plurality of test elements in a defined spacial relation, said test elements having upwardly facing coupling means and at least one skin-puncturing test head carrying a desired allergenic testing agent, gripping an applicator handle having a top for gripping and a bottom which includes coupling means complimentary to the coupling means on said plurality of test elements, the coupling means on the bottom of said applicator handle being adapted to pick up and releasably hold at least one of said plurality of test elements at a time, placing said applicator handle bottom down onto a test element of said plurality of test elements such that the complimentary coupling means on said applicator handle and said test element couple together to permit the applicator handle to pick up and releasably hold said test element, picking up said applicator handle and the test element coupled thereto and, with the applicator handle, pressing the test head of said test element against the skin of a patient to apply an allergenic testing agent thereto, removing the applicator handle and test element from the patient's skin, releasing said test element from the applicator handle for the purpose of discarding said test element, and reusing said applicator handle to pick up and releasably hold another test element from said plurality of test elements.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the coupling means on the bottom of said applicator handle is adapted to pick up two test elements at a time, wherein the applicator handle is placed bottom down onto the plurality of test elements such that the complimentary coupling means on said applicator handle and two test elements of said plurality of test elements couple together to permit the applicator handle to pick up and releasably hold said two test elements, and wherein the steps of the method are otherwise performed with two test elements coupled to and released from the applicator handle.
 24. The method of claim 22 wherein said test elements are stored in a tray of test elements. 